Ranking the Top 50 All-Time Notre Dame Fighting Irish

The Notre Dame football program is simply dripping in tradition and excellence. Trying to rank the top 50 best players in history to wear the Blue & Gold is one serious task.

Consider that the school has more national championships and All-Americans than any other program in the country. In addition, Notre Dame has taken home seven Heisman trophies.

In compiling this list it was necessary to provide some guidelines in order to rank each player properly because in reality, there are nearly 100 players who could make a case to be on this list.

Therefore, I believe individual statistics and awards to be paramount, but team success and winning are also key components as well. Also note that NFL and professional success is not part of the ranking formula.

Brace yourself for a list of some of the greatest football players in college history!

No. 41 Elmer Layden (1922-24) HB

Another member of the famed “Four Horseman” backfield, Layden was the heaviest of the group and played the hard nosed position of fullback.

Although he was not the best runner of the group, Layden excelled at driving into the line of scrimmage and also as a tremendous defender in the Notre Dame secondary.

An All-American in his senior season of 1924, Layden intercepted two passes and brought both back for touchdowns in the Rose Bowl against Stanford and added another on the ground in the 27-10 victory.

A member of Notre Dame’s first national championship team, Layden totaled 1,841 yards rushing for his career (the same as fellow teammate Jim Crowley) and was inducted into the college football Hall of Fame in 1951.

No. 39 Jimmy Clausen (2007-09) QB

The number one recruit coming out of high school, Clausen struggled early in his career but just finished one of the more amazing seasons for a quarterback in Notre Dame history.

A highly skilled and accurate passer, he currently stands in first or second place in most Irish career passing records. Clausen’s 2009 season culminated in a 161.4 passer rating, tying Bob Williams for the best on year performance in school history.

A likely top 15 pick in this year's NFL draft, Clausen could be the highest drafted Golden Domer in well over a decade.

No. 33 Don Miller (1922-24) HB

Out of all of the Four Horseman, perhaps Don Miller was the most gifted athlete. Despite coming to South Bend with little fanfare, Miller racked up the most impressive statistics among his fellow teammates.

An All-American as a junior in 1923, the irony is that Miller was the only member of the Four Horseman not to be named All-American in 1924 despite leading the team in rushing in both years and leading the team in receiving for three straight years.

Described by Rockne as the best open field runner he’d ever had, Miller glided his way to 1,933 yards rushing at a 6.8 per carry average, to go along with 17 touchdowns over his career.

He was a member of the 1924 national championship team and inducted into the college football Hall of Fame in 1970.

No. 31 Brady Quinn (2003-06) QB

After becoming a starter during his freshman year, Quinn would go on to lead the Irish for the next three years as quarterback.

The all-time leader in most school passing records, he benefited immensely from a coaching change heading into his junior season. In fact, his junior season (32 TD’s and 3,919 yards) could very well stand unchallenged as the best statistical season for a signal caller in Notre Dame history.

A team captain as a junior and senior, Quinn left South Bend in 2006 as one of the school’s greatest leaders.

No. 28 Reggie Brooks (1989-92) RB

Somewhat of a forgotten star as the years have passed, Reggie Brooks was one of the best tailbacks in Notre Dame history.

A converted defensive back, Brooks would have to wait three years before earning a starting spot at halfback for the Irish. When he finally grabbed the spot in 1992, he had one of the best seasons in Notre Dame history.

His 1,372 yards that season is still the third best in Irish annals and he also scored 13 touchdowns to go along with an average of 122.1 yards per game.

No. 26 Ralph Gugliemli (1951-54) QB

The starting quarterback at Notre Dame for nearly four full seasons, Guglielmi was described by coach Leahy as Notre Dame’s greatest passer. Not only could he throw the ball with accuracy and timing, but Guglielmi was also a threat to run the ball as well.

An All-American as a senior in 1954, Gugleilmi was also a strong defender who finished his career with ten interceptions. After Notre Dame, he was a first round pick for the Washington Redskins.

No. 24 Joe Theisman (1968-70) QB

Perhaps the greatest Notre Dame player to not win a title or Heisman trophy, Joe Theismann took the Fighting Irish passing game to a whole new level as a junior and senior.

Passing for over 4,000 yards and 31 touchdowns over his career, Theismann led Notre Dame to an impressive 20-3-2 record as starting quarterback.
Finishing second in the 1970 Heisman race, Theismann was nevertheless an All-American selection who would go on to have a highly successful pro career.

No. 23 Adam Walsh (1922-24) OL

Walsh is without question one of the toughest and greatest leaders to ever put on a Notre Dame uniform. A multi-sport athlete, he was the captain of the 1924 national championship team and was the best blocker as a center for the Four Horseman.

In addition to his blocking skills, Walsh was also a talented defender. During the 1924 contest against Army, he played the game with two broken hands but still intercepted a pass and made numerous tackles.

An All-American as a senior, Walsh was inducted into the college football Hall of Fame in 1968.

No. 19 Angelo Bertelli (1941-43) QB

An enormous talent and one of the greatest pre-modern passers in football history, Bertelli led Notre Dame to the 1943 national championship despite being called into service and not finishing the year.

Nevertheless, Bertelli’s talents were too much for voters to dismiss as he won the school’s first Heisman trophy while at boot camp in preparation for World War II. He completed an unheard of 69 percent of his passes in 1943 and led an offensive onslaught that had never been seen before.

A two-time All-American, Bertelli was also a talented running back as a sophomore before switching to quarterback. Nicknamed the “Springfield Rifle” Bertelli was one of the greatest signal callers in Notre Dame history.

No. 16 Jim Martin (1946-49) DL

After completing duty as a Marine during World War II, Martin entered Notre Dame as a 22 year old freshman and positively one of the meanest SOB’s in school history.

A four year starter, Martin played at defensive end for three years before switching to offensive tackle his senior season. And he was part of the incredible Notre Dame class that never lost a game over a four year period.

A member of three national championships and co-captain of the Irish in 1949, Martin was inducted into the college football Hall of Fame in 1995.

No. 14 Tony Rice (1987-89) QB

There could be no better quarterback to run Lou Holtz’s option attack than Tony Rice.

One of the most underrated leaders and winners in college football history, Rice quarterbacked the Irish to the 1988 national championship.

A fleet of foot runner, Rice also possessed a cannon of an arm that fueled the dangerous Notre Dame passing attack. He also has some of the greatest victories for a quarterback in school history and one of the most impressive records as starting quarterback in NCAA history.

No. 13 Frank Carideo (1928-30) QB

Quite possibly the most underrated and under-appreciated talent in Notre Dame history, Carideo can lay claim to being the most successful quarterback in school history.

Known as a tremendous play-caller and passer, Carideo also excelled at punting and was a fantastic defender. He was also a heavily feared punt and kick returner holding many school records when his career was over.

Undefeated as a starting quarterback, Carideo was a two-time All-American in 1929 and 1930 and led Notre Dame to back-to-back national championships as the last field general Knute Rockne ever coached.

No. 12 Bob Crable (1979-81) LB

A linebacker coach’s dream, Crable can lay claim to being one of the best defenders in Notre Dame history. A first round draft pick of the New York Jets, Crable was a tackling machine and superb run stopper.

A two-time All-American during his last two seasons in South Bend, Crable shares the NCAA record for most tackles in a game at 26.

His career 521 tackles may never be matched by a Notre Dame player again.

No. 9 Emil Sitko (1946-49) HB

Emil “Red” Sitko is another candidate for the most underrated players in Notre Dame history. A four year starter at full back and then half back, Sitko led the Fighting Irish in rushing in every single season.

Known for his blazing fast speed, he picked up the nickname “Six-Yard Sitko” because of his running abilities. His 6.1 yards per carry average is one of the best in school history and Sitko still remains near the top of many school rushing records.

A two time All-American and a member of a class that never lost a game (36-0-2), Sitko was also the winner of the 1949 Walter Camp award given to the best player in the country.

He was the tenth overall pick by the NFL’s Rams and was inducted into the college football Hall of Fame in 1984.

No. 7 Joe Montana (1975, 1977-78) QB

Quite the underdog for his first two years on campus, Joe Montana turned into “Joe Cool” once he had the opportunity to start for Notre Dame.

Although he doesn’t have out of this world statistics, Montana nevertheless engineered some of the greatest moments in school history. He led some miracle comebacks throughout his career including an improbable turn around late in the fourth quarter against Houston in the 1979 Cotton Bowl.

The starting quarterback for the 1977 national championship team, Montana is without a doubt the most famous football player in Notre Dame history.

No. 6 George Connor (1946-47) OL

One of the best tackles in collegiate history, Connor was a transfer from Holy Cross who made his way to South Bend after World War II. Before long he was opening holes for some of the best Irish runners in history.

A two time All-American at Notre Dame, Connor was also an unstoppable force on the defensive side of the ball. During his two years, Notre Dame never lost a game and Connor won two national championships.

Connor was also the first recipient of the Outland trophy in 1946, given to the nation’s best interior lineman, and also captained the 1947 squad, which many consider the greatest Notre Dame team of all-time.

After graduation, Connor was the number five overall selection in the NFL draft by the New York Giants.

No. 5 Johnny Lattner (1951-53) HB

Perhaps the greatest all around player in college football history, Lattner excelled as a running back, receiver as well as a defender and punt returner. Lattner was even one of the better punters in the country.

Although he never put up crazy numbers, Lattner did end up setting the career all-purpose yardage mark for all Irish players and his 13 career interceptions is one of the best in school history.

A two-time All-American and Maxwell award winner, Lattner won the Heisman trophy in 1953 in Frank Leahy’s last year as head coach. The Irish finished the season 9-0-1.

No. 4 Paul Hornung (1954-1956) QB

Widely considered the best all-around athlete in Notre Dame history, Paul Hornung left South Bend as the only player in history win the Heisman trophy while playing for a losing team. The Irish went 2-8 in 1956, but Hornung was simply amazing as a senior.

Originally a fullback-halfback hybrid during his first season, Hornung eventually became starting quarterback for his last two seasons and scored nearly half of Notre Dame’s points over the remainder of his career.

Not only was Hornung a great runner, passer, and offensive threat, but he also took on the kicking duties and was one of the most accurate and lethal kickers of his time.

If that’s not enough, Hornung also played on the other side of the ball leading his team in pass break ups and finishing second in tackles and interceptions his senior season.

Nicknamed the “Golden Boy”, Hornung also played basketball until his junior season in college when he decided to focus entirely on football.

A member of the college football Hall of Fame, Hornung was the No. 1 draft pick for the Green Bay Packers.

No. 3 Leon Hart (1946-1949) DE

You could make the case that Hart is the most decorated player in Notre Dame history and someone whose achievements were larger than life.

At 6’4” and 245 pounds, Hart was incredibly strong yet nimble as a running back. As a defensive end, he was one of the most feared pass rushers in history, but also lined up on the offensive line as a bruising blocker, played full back and caught passes as well.

Hart ended his career with 49 receptions, 751 yards and 13 touchdowns, which is an absolutely insane set of stats for that era and given his tenacity and dominance on defense.

He was a four-year letter winner, three-time All-American, three time national champion and a member of an Irish class that never lost a game over their career going 36-0-2.

One of only two linemen to ever win the Heisman, Hart took home the award after his senior season in 1949 while also earning the Maxwell award and AP Male Athlete of the Year honors.

A member of the college football Hall of Fame, Hart was also the No. 1 draft pick of the Detroit Lions.

No. 2 George Gipp (1917-1920) HB

There may be no more famous of a personality and character in Notre Dame history than George Gipp.

Originally enrolled at Notre Dame on a baseball scholarship, the “Gipper” was spotted playing football one day by head coach Knute Rockne who convinced the superb athlete to join the varsity squad.

Over the next three years, Gipp turned into the most electrifying player on the team and in the nation, one who could run, pass, punt and play outstanding defense. In fact, he was such a great defender, it is claimed a pass was never completed on his side of the field.

In the second to last game of his senior year, Gipp contracted strep throat and suddenly died only three weeks later. His famous deathbed words spoken to Rockne were the inspiration for one of Notre Dame’s biggest victories over Army eight years later and remain perhaps the greatest story in college football history.

At the time of his death, Gipp was named an All-American, led the team in rushing and passing each of his last three seasons, compiled a career record of 27-2-3 (including 19-0-1 in his last two seasons) and held Notre Dame’s career rushing mark (2,341 yards) for over fifty years.

George Gipp was inducted into the college football Hall of Fame in 1951.

No. 1 Johnny Lujack (1943, 1946-47) QB

There may be no more decorated player in college football history with the combination of individual and team success like Notre Dame’s Johnny Lujack.

Filling in for soon-to-be Heisman winner Angelo Bertelli at quarterback in 1943, Lujack guided the depleted Irish in a huge victory over powerhouse Army to secure a national championship just as World War II erupted.

After serving in the Navy, Lujack came back to Notre Dame and never lost a game as quarterback and defensive back. In fact, his touchdown saving tackle against Army in 1946 is one of the best defensive plays in college football history.

Lujack won the Heisman in 1947 and left Notre Dame as a two-time consensus All-American and three time national champion.